But the proud new parents took a safer option to ferry their new-born Prince home from hospital, choosing a brand-new high-tech Range Rover.

However, the just-born new Prince of Cambridge will have a very different automotive experience to deal with by the time he can get behind the wheel.

Bentley Future

It will be almost 2030 by the time the as-yet-unnamed Prince can drive. And by that time, the car as we know it will be very different beast.

In light of that, Drive has compiled a list of items the Prince’s first car will likely have.

Driving

One needn't consider putting one’s posterior in the driver's seat. That’s not because there’ll be a Jeeves or Harold to transport him from Kensington to Buckingham Palaces, but because the car will be able to do all of the driving for him.

A number of brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen,Audi and Volvo are working hard to create cars that will be able to drive themselves, and the technology is expected to be a mainstream item by the time the new royal tacker is of a suitable age to get behind the wheel.

The car won’t spend a lot of time in traffic, either.

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Car-to-car technologies under development today from luxury brands like Audiwill be able to avoid traffic jams by monitoring other cars and gathering vital information from traffic lights to make day-to-day journeys smoother. They’ll help him to time his run through London better, and if other cars tell the car that the traffic is clogged, the satnav will organise a different route for the car to take.

Parking

One needn’t worry about finding a parking space, either.

Already there are mainstream cars that can perform a parking manoeuvre at the press of a button - the new Holden VF Commodore, for example - but manufacturers are working on making cars that will physically find a spot and park themselves without the driver at the wheel.

Volvo is the brand that is heading this technology. It will offer the first car that can find a space, park itself and then be called to pick up the driver via smartphone link in 2014 with its new XC90 SUV.

Safety

So you think 10 airbags is overkill? If the Prince is ever involved in a smash, he'll be smothered with safety.

If he follows in the footsteps of his party-loving uncle, Prince Harry, the new Prince will be able to tweet, Facebook and check out any other social media platforms from the car.

And it’s likely the car will have screens with gesture sensing technology - like that used by Sony PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles - and voice control for each of the occupants to keep them entertained as they endure the commute.

Problems

The new Prince won't get his hands grubby changing a tyre.

Tyre companies are working hard on creating puncture-proof tyres - some that will be made of a web-like mesh of rubber that won’t require air at all, and others that can repair themselves on the move.

If he does happen to scratch the royal ride, he needn't worry as car makers are developing paints that can heal themselves.

Engine issues? The car’s onboard computer will be able to connect with the brand’s service centre and advise that it is in need of attention before the Prince even knows there’s something wrong. It’ll probably drive itself to the nearest dealer, too.

Under the bonnet

One thing’s for certain - no matter what brand of car the Prince owns in 2030, it won’t use very much fuel.

Car makers will develop new lightweight, high-strength materials to construct their cars, and the bits under the bonnet will use less fuel than anything on sale today.

Manufacturers are building and selling more hybrid models every year, with the current trend being towards plug-in hybrid drivetrains which can run on electricity for urban duties and use a conventional engine to re-charge the batteries and extra cruising range for the open road.

By the time 2030 rolls around, there’s every chance the Prince will be driving a hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle that emits nothing more than water vapour.

Buying the car

Although it is highly likely the Prince will be provided his transport, buying a car from a dealership will be a thing of the past by the time he gets his licence.

The Prince or the Palace may not own the car outright, either. Analysis suggest many cars will be offered on monthly plans - just like mobile phone plans today - and there’s a chance that after three years the majority of the car’s parts will be recycled for other uses.